Family history can be what makes every individual who they are, and their current relationship with family can be what guides them in life. This sentiment is prevalent in the dramedy “A Real Pain,” with the title reflecting the difficulties that many family members may face with each other. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, who also wrote and directed the film, and Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain” follows a pair of cousins who go to Poland to learn more about their family. Along the way, they learn more about each other. When it comes to “A Real Pain,” the film can be described as being one where what you see is what you get. The story is not trying to be too shocking, save for some small reveals later on, and it is not interested in creating unrealistic moments for the sake of entertainment. However, in the film’s subtlety, there is plenty of excitement to be found. It is a clear cut story where any audience member can find some element, whether it be a character or a plotline, that can connect to them. Then, once you have seen the movie, there will absolutely be certain moments that will stick with you for days to come. Released Nov. 1 in theaters and now available on Hulu, “A Real Pain.”

American cousins, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin) have decided to travel to Poland to go on a Holocaust tour in honor of their late grandmother. They will end the tour by visiting the home she grew up in. Even though David and Benji share blood, they are both quite different from each other. David has a steady job and a loving wife and child, but he is also anxious and introverted, constantly playing by the rules. On the other hand, Benji makes friends wherever he goes and seems to be unable to feel embarrassment with his lack of filter. However, he does not have a secure job or living situation at the moment, and his gregarious demeanor could be a front for some inner turmoil. This unlikely duo travels through many historic and significant spots in Poland, while also connecting with the unique people who are also on the tour, who all come from different backgrounds. Throughout this trip, along with learning about their background, the two cousins learn more about each other and are able to connect in a way that was previously impossible for them. While they each have traits that annoy each other, there are also traits that the cousins envy about each other. Whether it be related to the past, present or future, this trip is about family, its importance, and why it should be cherished.

I have been a follower of Eisenberg’s career for years now, as I feel he has a captivating yet subtle appearance on screen. He may not be flashy or risky, but he is able to embody every character he plays, creating a connection with the audience. The role of David is a typical Eisenberg role, a neurotic wallflower, yet I can not find myself being bored of his performance. David is a character that many people have likely met in real life and Eisenberg is able to provide that relatability factor in his performance, making the character someone that the viewers can feel attached to. He excels at the dry humor required of his character, but he is also enthralling in the big emotional moments that David has, making the part more complex than it may seem on the surface. Watching Eisenberg’s performance, it makes sense that he wrote the film, as the character fits his acting style like a glove and everything he did felt comfortable. Then, there is Culkin’s performance as Benji, which has been the main event of the Oscars’ Best Supporting Actor race. There have been debates on whether or not Culkin being in the supporting actor category is category fraud, as many people feel like he is a lead. Personally, while Culkin is in the film almost as much as Eisenberg, the film is mostly told through David’s perspective, and the audience is only seeing and understanding Benji from David’s point of view. That is why I believe Culkin is a supporting actor in this film. Nevertheless, while that may be the case, Culkin is definitely a scene-stealer. Every time he is on screen, the audience takes notice. Culkin oozes charisma and is able to have chemistry with every other character in this film. In addition, he also has some of the funniest lines in this movie, and the way he says some of them nonchalantly and straight is what makes those lines extra funny. Also, while he may serve as comedic relief for most of the film, he has some deeper moments later on that are truly captivating. He is able to portray these moments without losing the general casual demeanor of the character, which allows the emotional parts to feel like a natural progression for the character. Culkin deserves the awards buzz that he is getting, as he brings an exciting character to life in “A Real Pain.” Overall though, the interactions and chemistry between Davis and Benji are what help make the movie fantastic, as Eisenberg and Culkin are able to work off of each other well. This film is quite character-driven, so it is fortunate that the character, and the performances, are ones that can keep eyes glued to the screen.

Something to note about this film is that there was not really a straightforward story structure. There is not really a distinct beginning, middle and end, and there are not many distinct plot points. There are important conversations and meaningful moments, but the film mostly feels like a slice of life film that is carried by the dialogue. It is a slice of life movie and I am all for that. Some films feel like they have to try really hard in order to leave an impact, but “A Real Pain” has raw characters in realistic situations, without any dramatic obstacles, and those details were what drew me in. I was thoroughly engaged by the various conversations that made up the film, from Benji explaining his opposition to sitting in a first class train car to David explaining Benji’s problems, to the two of them simply smoking on the roof of their hotel. The fact that everything felt so natural, like conversations that could happen in real life, was what helped me get invested in these characters’ stories. In some ways, the film felt like a play, just one with beautiful scenery. I am a fan of a film providing that type of energy, as it shows the story is truly important to the film, as opposed to it just being about elaborate imagery. On that note, the film felt quite tight, with every scene mattering. That can be a bit difficult with a slice of life film, but it still felt like each moment gave the two main characters more depth and provided them with motivations in life and towards each other. Even when it is just them going along on their tour, the certain flights they see and comments they make on various spots show how they approach the world differently, with David taking a nervous approach and Benji taking the bolder approach. The script for this film is one of my favorites of the past year because of the brilliant dialogue, attention to detail and cohesive storyline. A script like that is what makes this movie special and enthralling from the first minute.

There is a lot that can be learned from this film. It may not have all of the bells and whistles of most modern films, but it has messages that can stay with the audience. A large portion of that achievement comes from the well-crafted blend of comedy and drama. “A Real Pain” is able to touch on serious themes related to mental health as well as Holocaust history, but there are also some excellent jokes and moments of humor in the film, which provides a respectful balance. The humor of this film was sarcastic and dry, as opposed to slapstick and overly goofy, which was great for my personal tastes. The jokes felt off the cuff and felt like normal reactions to certain situations, which is what made those jokes extra funny. Some highlights in terms of humor include David and Benji catching up on their first airplane ride, the two of them trying to sneak on a train, and their final scene together. These scenes did not provide the kind of laughter that would make me fall out of my seat, but the comedy definitely provided a good amount of chuckle, which is the sign of well-written dialogue. Then, on top of my appreciation for the comedy, the serious moment touched me as well. These scenes include David talking about Benji one night at dinner and the two of them talking about Benji’s past and future one night. Similar to the impact of the humor, these moments were not the type to make me cry, but they did make me feel sad for a bit and I just wanted to give these characters some long hugs. These two tones, funny and sad, were able to work well together to create a complex portrayal of real life, as the real world has to combine those funny and sad moments. Eisenberg has created a masterful screenplay for “A Real Pain,” with the film being his second feature film. This film’s story grabbed my focus completely and I look forward to what Eisenberg writes next.  

I had a feeling going into this film that I was going to like it, as it checks most of my boxes in terms of what I look for in a film. Fortunately, it met my expectations and exceeded them. The film was one I could sink into, where I could distract myself for a little over an hour and a half as I learned about other people’s lives. I should say that this film is not for everyone. While I certainly enjoyed it, I can imagine some people may find it to be a little boring or dry, and they may feel like nothing happened. I do understand those sentiments, but I appreciate that the film is simple. It is full of some riveting conversations and wonderful explorations of Jewish historical culture. As a Jewish person, I particularly enjoyed the latter. Furthermore, the film was recently nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, along with Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Culkin at the Oscars. I believe that all of these nominations are deserved, although it also would have been nice if Eisenberg got a nod for acting as well. Hopefully, this high-profile recognition will help put this small film on more people’s radars. If you like a quiet film about companionship that packs a punch, or you want to see a thought-provoking exploration of Jewish history through a modern-day lens, watch “A Real Pain” today.